Thailand Newspapers

An anti-corruption watchdog had flagged irregularities in the construction of a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed in an earthquake last week and killed at least 11 people, the head of the monitoring group told Reuters.

Thailand launched a new one-stop shop providing investment and visa services for foreign investors and expatriates on Monday.

Fearful workers fled buildings in Bangkok on Monday morning amid reports of vibrations and cracks being found in the buildings, but the scare was later dismissed as a false alarm.

The search for survivors trapped in the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok continued on Monday amid reports that life signs were being detected three days after Friday's devastating earthquake.

The global economic slowdown is unlikely to affect investment in the much-touted entertainment complex project because it is a long-term investment, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Board of Trade, says it is premature to draw conclusions on the potential impact of the Uyghur issue on trade negotiations.

On March 13, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning Thailand for deporting Uyghurs to China. Members also urged the European Commission to leverage ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations to press Thailand to reform its lese majeste laws, release political prisoners, and cease the deportation of Uyghurs.

Parliament will likely discuss the entertainment complex bill by April 9, chief government whip Wisut Chainarun says.

The government has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse of the 30-storey building at the centre of city rescue efforts following Friday's quake.

Eight state-owned banks have introduced relief measures for victims of the earthquake including debt repayment suspension and low-interest loans, says deputy government spokesman Anukul Prueksanusak.